IVF HAMMERSMITH

[AGallagher]

Hello Bernie,

Sorry to hear about your hospital visit but I am glad to hear the twins are ok. Is there nothing that you can do or take to help alleviate the pain to make you more comfortable?

Hello Vicky, still have everything crossed for you.

I have my appointment tomorrow with the Consultant Obstetrician. I have started getting a very light brown discharge again when I pee but no real bleeding. I am a little concerned about this again. The appointment tomorrow is to do with my epiletic medication but I will mention this as well to see if they might be prepared to refer me for an early scan or something for peace of mind. On the whole I feel more relaxed about things and am pretty certain everything is ok.

[Vickyp]

Hi Guys

Bernie - wow - sorry to hear about your ovaries - I hope it calms down and stays that way for the rest of the pregnancy.

A Gallagher - I hope things go well today and you get some answers. It would be great if you could have another scan - I'm sure it would really put your mind at ease.

I had a good scan on Friday - everything looked fine - I told the doctor it was 7 weeks and 6 days since my last period & when she took the measurements it came up at exactly that - so that was really good. I just have to sign on with a midwife now. So I am now 8 wks and 3 days and can't wait for 12 week scan!

Vicky

[AGallagher]

Hello Vicky,

I am so pleased that your scan showed that everything was ok. I hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well.

I had a scan last Thursday which showed that I was 8 weeks and 6 days and that the baby was fine. There is no sign of internal bleeding although I still keep getting a brown discharge. No one has really said what is causing this and they just keep telling me that everything is fine.

[Vickyp]

Hi A Gallgher

That's brilliant news - you must have been relieved to be able to see the baby and be told that all looks good. Your dates mean I am only 1 day behind you - I think! I still actually don't really believe it somehow - I don't think I will till I start showing - it just all seems so crazy! Vicky

[Vickyp]

Hi A Gallagher

Just wanted to ask - are you having a nuchal scan? or haven't you thought about it yet? Vicky

[AGallagher]

Hello Vicky,

I have my first antenatal appointment next Friday. The Fetal Care Centre whom I have also been referred to are seeing me the following Tuesday and the doctor has booked me in for an 18 week heart scan due to the anti epiletic medication. She also wants me to book in for a 22 week abnormality scan after christmas. I am not sure about the nuchal one. Is that the other early scan they do to test for Downs?

I will find out next week hopefully if I have to go for any further scans.

[Vickyp]

Hi A Gallagher

Yes - the Downs one. I am having one two weeks today. I have to pay for this but it is the most accurate test for Downs other than the amnio which could cause a miscarraige so I wouldn't have this. I only want some idea anyway so I can prepare myself. I 've had an antenatal appt with Doctor (last Thursday) but not heard from the midwife bit yet.
It didn't occur to me that we'd be 20 wks just after Christmas - that doesn't seem that far away - how exciting! Vicky

[AGallagher]

Hello Vicky,

I must check on Friday as about the scans as I don't want the amnio one either. At this stage I am more concerned about side effects or reactions of coming of the estrogen patches and progesterone suppositories which I have been taking to support the pregnancy since implantation. I have to reduce from this Friday and stop by next week.

From then my body will really be doing all the work for the baby. I am looking forward to Christmas and reaching the 20 weeks stage. I feel confident that everything will be ok. Are you showing at all? I already have a bulge and have put on a fair amount of weight. I thought it was just fat from eating too many doughnuts but one of the girls at work said it looks like more of a solid pregnancy bulge.

Let me know how you get on with your scan. I must ask about this one on Friday as I would be happy to pay for it if they offer me this option.

[Vickyp]

Hi A Gallagher

Don't worry about the patches etc- I'm sure it will be fine - don't forget your body has still been producing oestrogen & progesterone -you've just had extra doses. I remember stopping having the patches & pessaries when I was 12 wks with Ollie - it was really nice not to have to any intervention finally - just a normal pregnancy from that point on. I know when you've had a bit of bleeding though any change is scary but I'm sure it will be okay.

I think I have got a bulge - I really hope so anyway - my clothes are a bit tight and uncomfortable (but I have to say I have felt bloated since about week 6!). I've put on three pounds so far - I'm really trying not to put on too much too quickly as I still had weight to lose from Ollie when I got pregnant I'm ashamed to say (about half a stone) so now I'm paranoid about permanently putting on even more weight! It's so funny how you do go back to caring about all the old 'normal' stuff after you've had the baby - I remember thinking I would never care how much weight I gained as long as I could have a baby but annoyingly after not losing the weight after 18 months I really did start to care - not that I was really slim before! It is nice to be bulgy for the right reasons though!

I stupidly looked up chances of miscarriage at 10 weeks online today and found girls who had been for 12 wk scan and found that baby had stopped growing - so bring it on I say. Just can't relax till then!

Vicky

[AGallagher]

Thanks Vicky.

I am sure everything will be fine and it is because of the bleeding episodes that I am weary. I have my first antinatal appointment tomorrow so will prepare myself this evening to ensure I ask all the questions I need to.

I am feeling more relaxed about things and my instincts are telling me that everything is going to be ok. I have given up reading too much about pregnancy, particularly about the side effects and complications as I find you start getting irrational about these things and I don't want to pass on any negative thoughts or stress to the baby. I know that might sound draft but I feel that a positive attitude will get me through the pregnancy. Also once the baby's born there is always going to be something to worry about so I have decided not to and just to take each day as it comes and enjoy it.

The other thing I have found is there earlier on I wanted to tell everyone about the pregnancy but now I don't feel like talking to many people about me. Some of my friends ring me and out of concern ask me about it. I do find that some of them mean well but come out with draft comments telling me how I should be feeling. It's weird how when your pregnant everybody feels like they have right to an opinion. Perhaps I am being too sensitive at the moment. I have decided to concentrate on staying calm and relaxed, getting through my working day and looking forward to jam sandwiches and tv for the next few months.

Try not to read too many articles and I am sure everything is fine. Let me know how you are getting on. It's nice having a link with someone who is so close to me with their dates.

Take care!

[Vickyp]

Hi - A G - (My new shortened name for you!)

You sound really at ease with it all now - really good, well done - I'm not quite there yet!

I know exactly what you mean about not wanting to talk about it. I think it's the natural animal instinct to nest and keep away from anything in the outside world. I have still only told my parents (waiting till scan next wk). I do remember everyone harping on & on about what to expect etc though. I am really up & down at the moment - one minute fine then the next in a tearing rage for no reason.

I had my first appt with midwife yesterday - 11 weeks and 2 days (although she said 1 day) and she couldn't hear the heartbeat with the doppler - have you had the doppler yet? Apparently that's not unusual but of course I have rashly just hired a home doppler for £16.95 - just for this month. I can't stand the wait till thte scan without having another go!

Okay that's it for now - how was your appt last week? - in fact you might have had the doppler at that? love Vicky

[AGallagher]

Hello Vicky

I had my first antinatel apt last Friday and was there for 4 hours. They tested for Rheus pos/chicken pox immunity, diabetes and several other things. I was sent for the NU scan and there was some controversy over my dates. The radiographer though I was only 10 weeks and 3 days which did not tally with the size of baby. The supervisor dated it at 11 wks 4 days and the midwife said I was 12 wks. I asked them to be certain so I could determine when to stop my ivf medication. The consultant obs told me to take it as 11 wks 4 days but then said I was 11 wk 2 days. It installed great confidence in me as you can imagine. I was at the fetal care clinic yesterday and the scan report said I was 11 wks and 4 days last Friday so I have made the assumption that I am now 12 wks for arguments sake and have stuck to the plan of reducing my medication as I had previously set. The doctor did not seem too concerned if I stopped short of a few days of 12 weeks as she said the scan looks fine. Well baby was resting but I can see a little face, two arms and its tiny legs and a strong heartbeat which is the main thing.

I have been feeling a bit tearful this week and very tired but the nausea and wind pains have eased. I have a scan in about 5 weeks and one booked for mid January so I am counting the days. I have not had the doplar but assume they may do this at my appointment in January.

The hospitals seem to work differently and offer different things at different times. Keep well and I hope the mood swings subside soon. Mine are not too bad at the moment but I think I am learning to let things go in one ear and out of the other and stay calm.

Take care

[Vickyp]

Hi AG

Wow how fantastic to have reached 12 weeks and all be well - congratulations now you can relax a bit more hopefully.

I have my 12 weeks scan tonight (6.30pm) - I have totally convinced myself that it will be bad news. Don't know why - I haven't found the heartbeat on the doppler and now I think my stomach doesn't look as big as it did a couple of weeks ago - Oh I don't know....I'm just totally dreading it but on the other hand will be glad to know.

I am in emotional turmoil at the moment - even cryed at 'You've been framed' on Saturday night - how sad is that! I will let you know what happens. Hope all is well with you. Vicky

[AGallagher]

Hello Vicky,

I am sorry to hear that you are going through such an emotional time. I will keep everything crossed that you have a good result today. It's so easy to get worried about everything and I can understand when you have received bad news before. It's hard to stay positive all the time. I am sure that the baby is ok. There are days when I look fat and other days when I feel like the bump has shunk. I think it is a combination of wind and fluid.

Let me know how you get on but I am sure things will be ok for you.

Take care,

AG

[Vickyp]

Hi AG

Unfortunately had bad news. The baby died at 9wks 4days - I must have realised somehow that things weren't right. Got to go to hospital tomorrow to discuss options for removing it. Just can't believe I've had two miscarriages in 4 months after finding out one of my tubes was clear -it's so ironic that now I can conceive more easily (or have done the last two times) I keep having miscarriages.

Am totally devasted of course but will hopefully feel better as time passes. Hope things are okay with you. Vicky